Passion Projects: Portraits of Men on the Modern Trail

Behind the scenes

Inspired by making discoveries and finding new paths, photographer
Shaniqwa
Jarvis sought out portrait subjects who carved their own space in
their fields.

She captured nine subjects in their studios, classrooms and
warehouses to photograph them in their element. Below, we’ve showcased
four of these men, each modeling the Chestnut
Quartz Collection.

On her inspiration behind the project, Shaniqwa said, “Each of the
nine subjects have taken non-traditional routes to get to where they
are today. In my opinion, that takes a lot of ambition, style,
patience, and dedication. I photographed them at work, in their own
offices and the results are these intimate and thought-provoking
images that shed light on daily routine.”

Below, the portraits reveal the self-expression, individual style,
modern workplaces and the visionary men who occupy them.

The Artist

If careers are in fact made by blazing trails, can you take us down
an abbreviated version of yours? In other words, how did you get to
where you are today?

Since I was young I loved to make things by myself, play sports and
skateboard. Slowly sports felt too organized and skateboarding took
over—that independence and creativity gave me the drive to start
making music.

I was just playing in punk bands with friends and then I fell in
love with painting. I never wanted to go to school, so I’d hang out
with art school pals and learn from them, and figured out my own way
to make things. Eventually I moved to Philly and have been blessed to
find a community here to work for or with and always have fun things
to do.

Do you work to live, live to work or a combination of the two?

I usually find my most peace when I’m in the zone completely focused
on what I’m working on.

What about your work brings you the most pleasure?

I think just knowing whatever I’m making never existed before I made
it. When I come off and if I feel proud of it, there’s always a short
moment of total bliss.

What about your work brings you the most pain?

I’ve learned to be less concerned of always being bigger or newer or
whatever. I’ve hopefully let go of a lot of that. I feel more grounded
like, “This is what I do, it’s working, and it’s me.” I can have bad
days getting stuck or overwhelmed but I know I’m still on the right
path and I’ll get through.

What’s inspiring you right now?

I started a new band that I feel so great about. And last night I
saw my 13-year-old niece’s modern dance recital. It was very good.

What music are you currently listening to to get into work mode?

Been on a non-stop LeVert ‘Casanova’ kick for awhile.

What one item of clothing represents your personal style?

I don’t know if it counts as clothing but I have a sterling silver
necklace charm with a boxer dog in sunglasses flexing huge muscles. I
think that pretty much sums me up.

The Woodworker

If careers are in fact made by blazing trails, can you take us down
an abbreviated version of yours? In other words, how did you get to
where you are today?

My fiancé and I started collecting vintage furniture five years ago.
When the collection grew, we needed to figure out a way to turn it
into a business. That’s where Maggpie Rentals was born.

In the wedding rental industry, you need a large quantity of the
same things such as table, bars, so out of necessity I took it upon
myself to learn the trade of wood working, welding and upholstering to
design and produce my own furniture.

Do you work to live, live to work or a combination of the two?

Lately, it’s been a combination of both. When we first started it
was work, work, work all the time but I’ve learned to take a step back
now and then to clear my head and smell the roses a little. It’s
really helped my creative process a lot.

What about your work brings you the most pleasure?

Just being able to use my mind and hands every day to create things
brings me a lot of pleasure. I love to be immersed in thought and my
work allows me to do that daily.

What about your work brings you the most pain?

The business part—numbers, logistics, etc. Boring!

What’s inspiring you right now?

I’m always inspired by the craftsmanship of the past, when people
took pride in their work, didn’t over look the fine details, and stood
behind their product with no excuses.

The Tattoo Artist

If careers are in fact made by blazing trails, can you take us down
an abbreviated version of yours? In other words, how did you get to
where you are today?

I believe that my path started my first year out of high school when
I enrolled in the local community college and started taking basic art
classes. After enrolling in art school a few years later I furthered
my art education and became more and more into tattoos.

During school I was getting tattooed frequently and finally worked
my way into getting a very informal apprenticeship. Slowly learning by
watching co-workers tattoo and also by watching other artists tattoo me.

From then on I’ve been honing the craft and my style. It’s been a
wild ride but I would say I got here by keeping my head down and
working hard.

Do you work to live, live to work or a combination of the two?

It’s a combination of both. If I’m on vacation and not in the shop
for a bit, all I can think about is work and I start to get antsy. At
the same time if all I’m doing is working everyday I tend to get burnt
out, and I really need a break.

What about your work brings you the most pleasure?

The thing that brings me most pleasure is doing a tattoo for someone
that is really important to them. Seeing a customer walk out so happy
with something they will have for life is pretty awesome.

What about your work brings you the most pain?

It could be the client that I have to deal with or even a more
literal pain being my back after a 6-hour rib piece.

What’s inspiring you right now?

I have been really inspired by the mountains lately and try to get
out in nature as much as possible.

What music are you currently listening to to get into work mode?

It all depends on the day but I would say my go-to music selections
would be The Grateful Dead, Tame Impala, Charles Mingus, High on Fire,
John Holt, The Allman Brothers and the list goes on. Hippy to heavy,
I’m all over the board.